Since the early origins of reggae music, love songs have formed an important part of the musical landscape. The sultry voices of Beres Hammond, Ken Boothe, and Dennis Brown alongside the falsetto voices of Courtney John and Bitty McLean bring real soul power to lovers’ rock. And the reggae legends Gregory Isaacs, Delroy Wilson, John Holt, Sugar Minott, and Freddie McGregor shined in this style.

Plus, many reggae supergroups, including Bob Marley & the Wailers and Steel Pulse have made some beautiful lovers’ rock tunes, while some artists like Maxi Priest, Jah Cure, Peter Hunningale, Gyptian, and Tarrus Riley have relied on the genre producing a plethora of lovers’ selections. And there are some classic cuts here, including Tyrone Taylor’s “Cottage in Negril” and Terry Linen’s “No Time To Linger.”

Some artists surprise their audiences with softer sides, for example, roots reggae artists Alborosie, Damian “Jr. Gong” Marley, and Kymani Marley, dancehall singjays Busy Signal and Vybz Kartel, and the R&B “overweight lover” Heavy D have recorded very sweet songs for the ladies. And there are many women, including Etana, Cherine Anderson, Estelle, and Hortense Ellis, who have recorded lush reggae songs filled with love. From Alton Ellis to Cocoa Tea to Sean Paul, love music has been an integral part of reggae.